Franklin’s Connection Through Personae
AP Language and Composition
Mrs. Vezzetti
Benjamin Franklin is a fascinating man. His talents ranged from being a political leader to a world voyager. In between one could discover what many argue to be his most admirable trait: being an astounding writer. Franklin’s multiple personae are beneficial to his excellent writing. Masking himself with a persona in his writing helps any reader connect with at least one. If not connect, then perhaps hope to model themselves after him. In doing so, there might be a chance you will turn out as successful a person as he.
As a boy Franklin was poor and throughout his life he was always trying to make good in the world and better himself. He speaks of putting all his money into books during his childhood lived in poverty, the ambition to become a better writer, trying to make his community a better place to live, and expanding education. Ben Franklin is always trying to improve life, whether it’s his own or that of others.
His persona is fully apparent from beginning to end, it is always there, whether hidden or completely obvious. He informs the reader that although he was very young he spent all the money he earned on books. “From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.” From this we can infer that he loved to read, and would rather have books than anything else. Rather than spending his money on stereotypical children items such as toys and candy, he spends his early funds on furthering his education. This helps him become the “poor boy who made good” we find throughout his life.
Franklin’s ostensible persona conveys him as a very well intentioned man, evolving the reader’s opinion of him, creating a very beneficial effect. His persona creates an image of him as an intelligent, respectable, ambitious, sincere man. This image makes his work more convincing and credible, the reader knows he works hard...